Dandruff. It's one of those beauty ailments that no one really talks about, but it's one that almost all of us will experience at some point in our lives. And since we're no strangers to dishing on the ugly side of beauty (we've tackled ingrown toenails and gross ingredients in skin cream), we're going to get into the nitty-gritty (flaky-scaly?) of what causes dandruff and how TotalBeauty.com users address theirs with the 13 best dandruff shampoos.
There seems to be no time that passes slower than when you're trying to grow your hair out (well, other than at the DMV). Whether it's a bad haircut, you're going natural after years of processing or you're envious of the girls with longer tresses on social media, it feels like hair growth takes an eternity.
When it comes to maintaining a freshly dyed 'do, it's incredibly important to upgrade your hair care routine to suit your new mane's needs. After all, without the proper TLC, your color could wash right down the drain. One of the best things you can do to care for your color is stock your shower with color-safe shampoo and conditioner and a quality hair mask to revive your tresses once or twice a week. Outside the shower, keep heat tool styling to a minimum and sleep on silky pillowcases that won't disrupt your hair's cuticle.
Black is the new black—at least when it comes to hair care. Charcoal became an uber-popular ingredient in skin care products over the last couple of years, so it makes sense that your favorite hair brands would start adding this detoxifying ingredient to shampoos, conditioners and more. "Charcoal hair products are really good for detoxifying and removing buildup," says celebrity hairstylist Felix Fischer. "They also work as an anti-inflammatory and are great for getting rid of dandruff."
For some, a ponytail is the ultimate lazy-girl, just-can't-even-today hairstyle. For others, a ponytail is an opportunity to get creative with a sleek, polished — or artfully undone — updo. Whatever kind of ponytail wearer you are, there's no reason to settle for basic. It's easy to transform a traditional pony into something special — without much effort. (Just the type of hairstyle we love.)
If you're thinking of switching up your hair color for spring and summer, instead of opting for the usual blond highlights, why not have a bit of colorful fun? While vibrant hues in every color of the rainbow are still incredibly popular, there's something to be said about taking a more subdued route. One color scheme that's gaining steam on Instagram is a pale, peachy brunette — otherwise known as caramel rosé.
It seems like every other day we find a new beauty trend we want to try, whether perusing our favorite Instagram feeds, flipping through magazines or checking out the latest looks from fashion week. Unfortunately, most of us can't afford multiple visits to Sephora and Ulta whenever the mood or inspiration to experiment strikes (at least not if we want to pay rent on time). So, when a beauty trend comes along that takes little effort — or investment — you can only imagine our delight. Even better if we already own everything needed to recreate the look.
It's been commonly said that you always want what you don't have: girls with curls want smooth, straight hair; people with iron-straight hair envy curls and waves; limp hair wants volume; people with volume might want, well, less. Although so many of us are rocking what we've got, we still have moments of frustration when it comes to our hair type and texture.
Take one scroll through Instagram and it's clear to see that a new hair color is dominating the beauty scene. The season's dreamy opal hair color can be best described as what would happen if you were to mix last season's pastel rainbow hair with this season's silver strands. The result? A shimmering, semi-metallic hair color that shines like one of our very favorite gemstones.
There is something in the air. You can sense it as the days get a little longer: the sun makes more of an appearance, winter's chill is less prevalent, you're less prone to "Will this winter ever end?!?" rage. It's about this time that our minds start to wander to thoughts of spring — particularly, spring and summer hair color.
There are certain beauty trends that truly stand the test of time. Cat eyes are forever in favor. Red lips can't be beat. And soft waves? This old-school Hollywood hairstyle is still seen on red carpets year in and year out. When it comes to hair color, you can always count on balayage highlights to be a stylish choice no matter what (sun-kissed hair, FTW). But that doesn't mean there isn't room for slight variation within this uber-popular hair color trend. After all, sometimes the classics can get a little bit boring, right?
Sure, stylists have access to the best of the best when it comes to hair products and tools. And yes, often times that means their kits are loaded with luxurious (AKA pricey) goodies. But that doesn't mean they don't love a good drugstore deal as much as the rest of us. Since they're not limited by budget, you can feel confident knowing that any cheapies they are using have to be good. We asked top hairstylists to share the bargain buys they can't get enough of. Check out their nine drugstore hair product picks here—with prices like these, we say go ahead and buy them all.
The shiny, luxurious allure of swingy blown-out hair that is, to quote Olivia Pope, "handled," holds allure for lots of women. So many, in fact, that an entire industry has erupted around it: blow dry bars exist in every major metropolis. What used to be the exclusive realm of well-appointed editors, movie stars and socialites has now become accessible to us all.
I have a dirty little secret: I sometimes go a full week without washing my hair. Now, before you go and call me gross, hear me out. I have super-thick, coarse, curly hair, and it gets seriously dry. Shampooing frequently just dries it out even more, so I like to wait as long as possible before I have to do it again. That's especially the case when I blow-dry my hair. It takes a whole lot of effort to smooth out my curly hair, so you better believe I'm going to do everything in my power to limit the number of times I have to style it each week (don't worry, I still hop in the tub every day to clean my body!).
Bangs are back in a big way — well, actually, in an itty-bitty way. The latest iteration, aptly dubbed baby bangs or micro bangs, is quickly proving to be the style of the season, with celebs like Emma Watson and Emma Roberts rocking them on the red carpet. And while they may be called baby bangs, there's nothing childish about them; the snipped fringe is decidedly modern and edgy. "People gravitate towards these bangs because they make for a one-of-a-kind, unique look," says Streeter's Artist Braydon Nelson. "They are fresh and really open up the face." Even better? Pretty much anyone can rock them. Check out Nelson's helpful advice, plus some photo inspo, before you make the cut.
Prepare to do a happy dance: We've rounded up the best drugstore dry shampoos. Yes, you no longer have to spend big bucks to get rid of second day greasy hair -- because reviewers say these drugstore dry shampoos work just as well as the pricier options. They make hair look and smell freshly washed, even if it's been a couple (or more) days since your last wash.
When the hair care market is saturated with brands and products promising to solve every one of your beauty woes, it's hard to know which way to turn. But experts agree that it always comes down to basics: a high-quality shampoo that cleanses (without over-cleansing) while providing nourishing ingredients that cater to your specific hair needs. "Shampoo should lather, get rid of buildup that otherwise would block pores and cause potential hair loss and scalp acne, and leave hair with a touch of softness instead of a tacky feel," says Nate Bova, senior stylist at Warren Tricomi Salon at The Plaza in New York City.
Turns out, the commercials were right: you can actually get salon-worthy hair with drugstore hairstyling products. At least, that's what TotalBeauty.com readers say about these budget-friendly gels, serums, hairsprays and mousses.
Sheet masks hit the beauty scene in the U.S. a few years ago and they've continued to be one of the most popular skin care products around. Originating in Korea (the land where all the coolest beauty trends are born), sheet masks are beloved thanks to their convenience. Using a sheet mask is a great way to pump up skin's hydration in just a few minutes. We even like bringing them with us when we travel to combat post-flight dryness.
Conventional wisdom dictates that hair and oil go together about as well as water and oil. As in, not at all. Even the words "hair" and "oil" conjure a greasy, un-showered, un-stylable mess, that most of us work very hard to avoid.
